Jackson Lafferty

Mr. Speaker, we need to review all the contributions we made to organizations in the community. There is the John Howard Society; there is the City of Yellowknife, which is also in partnership with this particular initiative; the Yellowknife Community Wellness Coalition; and other sectors that we do provide contributions to. We have to keep in mind that we are going through the business planning process. We’ll be discussing the importance of community safety, so this could be one of the topics of discussion.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Certainly, it would take a partnership between the Department of Justice, Health and Social Services, and the community, whether it be the City of Yellowknife or the coalition the Member is referring to. Funding has been allocated through my department and also through homelessness funding. There is certain funding provided to organizations to deal with these, whether it be for the break and enters or to assist the RCMP officers at the ground level. We as the 16th Assembly did make a commitment. It’s one of the priorities of the 16th Assembly to deal with those issues at...

That can be one of our topics of discussion when we are meeting with the various parties within the Sahtu region. We do have an integrated cultural and language curriculum in the schools as well. We can talk further on that.

I will bring my department in to discuss what we currently deliver in the schools in the 33 communities we serve. The programs are outlined in all the communities, so we will discuss further where we need to improve in certain areas. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. We do provide various program dollars to the community to promote and enhance our language and our culture, our special way of life, in all regions and in all the schools that we provide funding to. We do get certain funding from the federal government as well. And there is a $1.9 million pot of funding we provide towards that program.

I could provide that detailed information to the Member as to the Sahtu region — specific details of what kind of program dollars they are getting in the riding. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Friday, October 24, 2008, I will move that Bill 7, An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act, be read for the first time.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Friday, October 24, 2008, I will move that Bill 4, Public Library Act, be read for the first time.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Friday, October 24, 2008, I will move that Bill 2, Settlement of International Investment Disputes Act, be read for the first time.

Mr. Speaker, I will commit in this House that I will continue to work with my colleagues on the importance of community policing, because we’re here to prevent things from happening, such as the crimes that are in the communities.

Another thing I would like to point out is that we also work with the community justice programs and the community justice committees. I think that’s an important factor we have to keep in mind. They’re the ones who deal with the community’s local issues. Certainly, I will continue to work with my Cabinet colleagues to initiate this process. Mahsi.

Mr. Speaker, I need to get that further detailed information for the Member. I don’t have it in front of me today, but I would certainly be more than happy to provide that detailed 2008–2009 contribution to the coalition if there has been some in the past.

I certainly agree with the Member as to the value and the wisdom that elders bring to the school system and also to the community. We must cherish that and also work with that. We as a department have been dealing with this particular issue, because it’s not only in the Sahtu region but Northwest Territories–wide that schools would like to fully utilize elders’ services.

They are penalized from their pension as well when they get honorarium cheques or casual paycheques. We are dealing with that issue right now. We are talking about options in different scenarios as to how we can deliver an...